This study, published in the journal Psychological Medicine investigated the overlap between self-harm and violence towards others at ages 16 and 22 years, and identified associated risk factors. The study included information from over 4,000 participants from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). At age 16 years, 18.1% of the 4176 cohort members had harmed themselves, 21.1% had engaged in violence towards others and 3.7% reported dual harm. Prevalence of dual harm doubled from age 16 to 22 years, highlighting the importance of early identification and intervention during this high-risk period. Depression and other mental health difficulties, drug and alcohol use, witnessing self-harm and being a victim of, or witnessing, violence were associated with higher risks of transitioning from self-harm or violence at age 16 to dual harm by age 22.
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Steeg S, Farooq B, Taylor P, Shafti M, Mars B, Kapur N, Webb RT. Childhood predictors of self-harm, externalised violence and transitioning to dual harm in a cohort of adolescents and young adults. Psychol Med. 2023 Mar 31:1-11. doi: 10.1017/S0033291723000557.